Chairman Goodlatte Applauds Court Ruling on Recess Appointments

Chairman Goodlatte Applauds Court Ruling on Recess Appointments

Washington, D.C. — A federal appeals court today overturned President Obama’s controversial recess appointments. The judges ruled that the appointments made to the National Labor Relations Board are illegal, and the board no longer has a quorum to operate. The court also clarified that presidential recess appointment powers only apply after the Senate has adjourned sine die. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) responded to the court ruling in the statement below.

Chairman Goodlatte: “I applaud the court’s ruling today. While it is not new for presidents to make recess appointments, President Obama took this to an unprecedented level.  This abuse of the recess appointment process is in blatant violation of the Constitution since the Senate was not in recess.  Not to mention that in bypassing the formal Senate confirmation process, the ability of the American people to properly examine the background or public records of the nominees was eliminated. 

“I am firmly committed to protecting our U.S. Constitution and the system of government that it created.  I will continue working to see that Presidential nominees are put through the constitutionally-mandated Senate confirmation process and that the unprecedented power grab by the Executive branch is stopped.”